#here ya go tam

[dairy-farmer]

Aaw D:> tumbr ate my first draft of this. But I persist!

Because? Consider! Ra's being a GENUINELY charismatic, manipulative Threat! Oh shit!

He can read you at a glance. Offer you your hearts desires. Money, power, vengeance, purpose. Don't you YEARN? Haven't they WRONGED you? The world is... so very UNFAIR, isn't it?

Don't you want to feel safe again?

Be strong?

Poisoned honey, spoken in a pleasing voice. Any mask for any job. Mentorly, seductive, fatherly, concern, whatever breaks your walls. Makes you TRUST him. He's been doing this for years. Centuries.

Bruce calls it a cult for a reason.

Never let him get into your head. Let him talk. Give no quarter or it's DONE. Bruce drilled it in to all of them. If you give even a sliver of the smallest scrap... he will take you for all you are worth and destroy you. Mould what remains however he pleases. Bruce himself, BARELY had the mental and emotional strength to escape.

And he's the most stubborn bastard alive.

But... but Bruce is GONE. Lost to the time stream. And no one believe Tim. Will listen. Yeah, he's not explaining himself that great. But he's upset, his brain has always moved faster then his mouth, it's... it's kinda a terrible combination. But that doesn't mean he's CRAZY!

Of all the shit they've seen! THIS is where you think things become impossible!? THIS is when you won't even check?! Fine. He'll go on his own.

Except he's not on his own.

Because Ra's either believes him... or has spotted his chance to strike.

Murmurs and drawling and croons in his ears. Like the devil whispering temptation as it leads him farther and farther from home. Tim's TRYING. Remembers what Bruce told him. Give him nothing. But... but every snapped reply, every short answer, is met with such... predatory amusement.

He's making a mistake.

He KNOWS he's making a mistake.

But Bruce is out there. He... he has to get him home. He can do this.

Then Tamara Fox is sent after him by her dad. He gets stabbed and loses an organ, nearly dies in the desert. Now there's a hostage and fucking spider assassins hunting Ra's cult of killers.

Ra's, who no longer seems amused.

He can't-... he HAS to do this. For Bruce. For Tam. For the people they've killed.

He manages. They invade. The stuff of nightmares. Honestly, fffffuck Ra's, he can handle himself. He's getting Tam and Pru out of here and blowing everything to kingdom come. Except... except... shit, the leader. Touch of death. He's so tired. Reflexes not what the should be, torso still too stiff from being TORN OPEN.

Weeks of jet lag, poor sleep, worse diet, and just generally spotty meal times, have taken their toll. His reaction time is off. Not by much. But enough to die by. And... and this is it. He IS going too...

THWUMP!

Staff. With the sort of deadly precision even weapon master's would consider unachievable. The sort that take lifetimes to achieve. So close, if he blinked, his eyelashes would sweep the weapon that just saved his life. The force behind that strike would shatter bone. The follow up, clearly meant to kill.

Ra's Al Ghul.

Tim is already jerking back and toward Tam. No time to observe. But... oh. Oh. He must look so... so CLUNKY with a staff in his hands, in Ra's eyes. The man moves like a rolling storm. All dark untouchable mist and deadly flashing light. Dances have been less elegant.

But that doesn't matter. It CAN'T.

He has to get out of here.

Tim leaves Ra's to either win or die. Flees with Tam and Pru. Pulls up his "fuck you, Ra's" program. And tries to get it going...

Shit.

Only half the bases blew.

A blow, yes. But not the "get fucked, now and forever" like he intended. At least the alarms behind him are sounding. So THIS one is gonna go. Rip in burning peices, ya spider fucks! (No one tell Bruce. It's been a long year okay?)

Except when has life EVER been kind or fair to Tim? Even once? ESPECIALLY this year? Ra's. Barely sweaty from his death match and ready for round two, just kicked open the hanger door behind them. Still in full armor. Still fully armed.

Tim doesn't even bother to calculate in his head.

They're fucked.

He slaps the evidence Bruce NEEDS to be rescued into Tam's arms. Tells her to get it to her father. Begs Pru to get her there. Tells them... to run.

Stands his ground.

He gets his ass beat like a drum. It's not even CLOSE. He's wounded, exhausted, and down to one weapon. Less trained then Ra's. And Ra's? Already warmed up, well rested, armed to the teeth and IN ARMOUR. Also probably pretty mad, what with Tim blowing up his bases.

He... he doesn't expect to wake up.

But he does.

Fancy guest room. The sort of guest not allowed to LEAVE, but still. Rich woods, fine fabrics, tasteful design. Ra's in an ornate, silken, open robe and loose low hanging lounge pants, sprawled out like a tiger as he casually sharpens a sword.

Subtle.

Captured then. He would have expected a dungeon after, you know, the whole "fuck you" base exploding. And Ra's? Doesn't even pause in his weapon maintenance as he calmly, in an almost musing voice, informs him that there's no NEED for THAT.

"Bases can be rebuilt. Rabble recollected."

"But you, Detective?"

What a glorious last stand~. Why, Tamara was it? He's quite sure Tamara is TEARFULLY recounting "your valiant final moments, even as we speak. You've done all the work to kill yourself, FOR me, Detective. I would be a fool not to take advantage of that."

He finally pauses, testing the edge of the blade. Pleased with it's sharpness.

Tim let's himself flop back down on the bed, refusing to wait for eye contact with those gemstone green eyes. So... what now? Torture? Brainwashing? Lectures on how awesome you are and how Tim should totally join you?

Of course not. Why would Ra's do THAT, when he has Tim right where he wants him? Tired, hurting, isolated. Mentally and emotionally exhausted. In other words... broken down. The world has done his job FOR him. Not, of course, that he'd ever SAY that. Why show your hand, after all?

So, no, no~

Now? You rest. Ra's brings you food. And if you want something? You'll have to trade for it.

Theeeere it is! Time called it. And WHAT, you creep, EXACTLY will he be expected to "trade"?

So suspicious! But, of course, he understands. Their's has hardly been a pleasant relationship, so far. Riddled with conflict. He simply wishes for conversation. For Tim to take care of himself. Allow RA'S to take care of him. After all, Ra's knows he would never allow him to help, otherwise.

.....right. "help".

Tim knows that's bullshit. He is trapped and this is a trap. Some form of conditioning. A fostering of dependence, maybe. He refuses to fall for it. Ignores Ra's, turns over, and pretends to go back to bed.

Ra's just hums, amused.

Because... sure enough? For all that Ra's oh so helpfully furnished "his" room with books and art supplies? Non-technological amusements? He can only ignore the only other person in the room for some many days. Can only stew in his "what ifs" and not knows for so long.

Damn it.

So he trades. Cagey and suspicious, looking for traps in every bit of wording and every action. Just as Ra's knew he would. Slowly exhausting himself. Just as Ra's knew he would. Hyper-vigilance taking it's brutal, chipping toll.

Just as Ra's knew it would~.

He asks only you eat this lovely snack you will enjoy. Take a nap, as look so tired. Allow him to massage those worn, long abused muscles. Wash the unmanageable curls of your hair. A conversation, perhaps, on that topic you love so much. You are quite knowledgeable.

And... and damn it. The body? Straight out refuses to stay vigilante forever. Especially when there appears to be no threat. When things are soft and soothing. It starts to slip through his fingers like sand. He keeps catching himself. Forgetting. Catching himself again.

Ra's has such... such a soothing voice, when he wishes too. Like rich cologne on a winter's coat, wrapping you in a masculine warmth against the cold. Strong, deadly hands. Unfairly good as they gently cradle his head, run fancy soaps and scented oils through his hair. Untwist the mess his muscles have become.

Like... like he's on some sort of high end vacation.

Or some pampered pet.

He's actually back to a healthy weight. He doesn't look like a disaster survivor.. and he just... just...

He has to get out of here. Soon. I-It's so comfortable. Soothing. Like sinking into warm honey, it clings. He just... there's this growing part of him that wants... because... because, yeah. Yeah, maybe he IS tired. Maybe it WOULD be nice. To stay. To be taken care off. Pampered.

But he CAN'T.

He has to get out.

So he confronts Ra's. What's it gonna take? Hopefully. This will blow up. A fight maybe. Something to give him some ANGER. Anything but this damn comfort and softness. It's sapping his will to fight. But of course not. Ra's has got him read like a learning letters pamphlet.

Of COURSE Ra's will let him go~!

...if Tim does... one little thing for him...

Those fucking TRADES. And this is it, he can feel it. Trap already sprung and now comes the moment to either gnaw off his own leg or be captured. Ra's looks so unbearably pleased. Victorious in his machinations and now reaping his reward. Tim wants to break his stupid smug face. But that will get him nowhere.

What.

What is the God damned trade.

Oh~ Just a moment of your time. Allow Ra's a taste of the feast you so vigilantly gaurd against him. He spreads his arms, elegant, white teeth flashing like a damn shark. The very picture of a wealthy, powerful, scoundrel. Promises in a low purr to behave.

The part of his brain that lights up when he's about to do something stupid, practically explodes from his head just to beat him to death. Sings the song of ten thousand klaxons. Oh... oh this is so PROFOUNDLY stupid there are are no words. Is possibly THE WORST idea.

He still... agrees.

Watchs Ra's not so much stand, as rise to his feet. Fluid and controlled. Letting his robe slide from his shoulders in an easy roll, to fall into a pool on the ground. The sword is set aside. Ra's focus on him. Undivided. It... it should not be MORE terrifying, unarmed and in just pants, then armed and in full armor. And yet...

Tim's mouth feels bone dry. Mistake. Mistaaaake....

He feels hunted. There aren't even that many steps, to cross the room. Yet he's shifted, distinctly, from a stride to a prowl. Tim feels absolutely no shame in backing up. Trying to gather his thoughts.

Ra's doesn't give him the chance.

Before Tim can even full register more then "too close!", a powerful hand is sliding through his hair to cradle is head, an arm like steel wrapping around his waist. He's pulled into an overwhelming kiss.

He brain stops.

The taste of Chai and a commanding mouth, overwhelm him. Steal his air. Tease and focus his attention. He's manhandled back onto the bed. A hand trails down Tim's body, another reaching up to wrench one of the pillows free of the pile. A possessive mouth slowly meanders down his body.

Kisses, sucked marks, teeth lined tastes of skin.

His hands grip like they want to imprint themselves. Leave permanent marks. Are trying, very, very hard not too. Not yet at least.

Not even divine intervention could save his shorts, Ra's rips them. Guides a pillow under his lower back. Tim has all of a second to be confused before everything Iights up. He chokes on a squeak.

The rumbling laugh Ra's makes does NOT help. Powerful hands holding him in place, keeping him from escaping the... the hot and wet! Tim writhes. It not the first time someone's eaten him out. But... but! It didn't feel like this! Was teammates and just fooling around. Not practiced seduction and centuries of skill.

His legs are already shaking. He's gasping for air. Trying to buck his hips closer to that magnificent feeling, trying to get away from how overwhelming it feels. Clenching his fists in the sheets. Whining like he's wounded.

It's PERFECT. Ra's KNEW he'd be weak to pleasure.

Knew his Detective was worth the wait.

Rolls and teases his tounge down, just a bit. Brings calloused fingers into play. To drive his Detective mad. Tease his sensitive little gem, while he plunders deep and cruelly with his tounge.

It's delightful. Watching him come apart. Again and again. First on his tounge alone, then joined by his fingers. Finding the places he KNOWS his Detective his most sensitive, and rubbing, stroking, teasing without mercy or relent.

Until even that magnificently stubborn boy, is a teary, drooling, red faced mess. Thighs painted with his pleasure. Limbs weak and trembling. So BEAUTIFULLY compliant and needy. Reliant on Ra's for everything. Craving his warmth. His care.

Head empty of those ever rushing thoughts.

He, of course, keeps his word. Let's Tim go. Back to the real world. Too the cruelties man does to man. Too being unappreciated. Tired and overworked. Too an empty, uncomfortable bed. A poor diet. The judgments of so called friends.

Hmmm~ Ra's wonders~ how long will it take?

Before the world does his job for him? Again. Before his Detective is tired. Sore. Lonely. Worn down and in need of care. Of a little... pleasure. A warm body to hold him in the night. Companionship IS vital to a healthy human mind and body, after all. Ra's can be a "friend". A lover. Whatever works, really.

He has time.

And Tim? Tim made the mistake of letting him in.

-🐼🐼🐼

ra's being MASSIVELY charismatic, having an effect that just lulls people into wanting to follow and obey him makes a lot of sense honestly! especially since for the most part the situtation given is that people follow ra's more out of admiration for his power/control of the lazarus pits and that's really it. ra's being incredibly charismatic and inspriring the fanatical loyalty that cults exhibit is soo good!

[strawberrybyers]

so the photo of mike is resting on a “see, hear, read” vinyl. many of these were made for different stories. the one featured in the image is “the swiss family robinson” vinyl

here’s a synopsis of what the story is about (also in the original book, william is just known as father, but in one of the many adaptations of the story he develops the name william which ya know is interesting considering stranger things has their own will)

while looking up the lore of “the swiss family robinson”, i discovered that there was a comic series developed in 1962 and continued releasing comics until 1982 in a series called “space family robinson”.

i am intrigued because it mentions a war between two planets, so in stranger things terms “hawkins vs the upside down”. the robinsons meet telepathic tripods, which we could could compare to el and any other kids from the lab. it also mentions fixing the station’s power source and considering there has always been an emphasis of electricity and lights in stranger things and there’s been even more hints regarding those things with them filming at a radio station— that intrigues me. there’s a mention of being able to “restructure matter with their thoughts”… isn’t that kali/008’s and vecna’s power?? now idk who tam is, but considering will was the first to go into the upside down and was kept alive, could he be “tam” and the “aliens” be vecna since vecna obviously isn’t done with will yet?? then the final mention is that the swiss family lands on a duplicate earth which they think is home. THE UPSIDE DOWN IS LITERALLY A CARBON COPY OF HAWKINS ON NOVEMBER 6, 1983!!!!!

[deltaromeo3]

ɴᴏ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ #2 —Daniel Ricciardo

Pairing: daniel ricciardo x childhoodbestfriend!reader

Summary: Finally returning home after a few years, she reunites with her long time bestfriend; the all too famous Formula 1 driver, Daniel Ricciardo. Will things rehash between them or will it take a turn for the worst?

previous chapters here: #1 | #3

sidenote: im open for requests!

“Y/N?!” You turned your head towards the direction of the voice.

“Ella?!” You engulfed her in a hug.

“Oh my god I haven’t seen you in years! What are you doing back in this shit place?”

You chuckled at her remark; not because it was funny, but because it was true.

“Ma’s birthday. She says she invited your family over. I’m guessing you’ll be there too yeah?”

Ella nods. “Mm-hmm.” She pauses and looks at you suspiciously, like you being here was too good to be true. “You never come back home for jack shit so this must be special.”

You laughed, “That’s true but this time she literally begged me to come home, even offering to pay for my ticket. You’ve any idea why she insists she needs me to be here?”

Ella shrugs. “Nah, I’m as clueless as you.”

“Of course." You accept the defeat, wondering why you even asked her in the first place.

Ella chuckles softly. "It was nice bumping into you but I've gotta go. Catch ya tomorrow?" She smiles.

You nodded, smiling back at her. “See ya."

Ella walks away and you enter the corner shop. You went straight for the snacks, picking out your favourites; sour cream and onion chips with a packet of tim-tams.

You went to the cashier, placing the snacks down on the counter. You looked behind towards the rack of cigarettes for a second, deciding if you’ll be needing them or not. You only smoked when you were stressed and oh man... the level just keeps on increasing.

Fuck it.

“Oh can I please have one Marlboro Ice Blast as well? Thanks.”

You didn’t forget to grab yourself a lighter while you’re at it. The cashier retrieves the cigarette, scanning it along with your other items. You check out and leave the store, making your way to the bench across the store and taking a seat.

You placed the cigarette between your lips, lighting it up. One puff… two.. three…

“Enjoying yourself?”

“What the fuck!” Startled at the sudden voice, you turned behind to be met with your sister, who was laughing.

“How did you know where to find me?”

“You always head down here. What’s so special about this place anyways?”

-

2006.

“Oi Danny! Slow down, I’ve got short legs y'know!” You say, out of breathe from trying to catch up to him.

You hear him laugh. “Alright princess, I’ll slow down.”

“T-thank you,” You bend down, placing your hands on your knees, panting.

“Sheesh I didn’t know you were so out of shape,”

“Shut up Daniel. I’m not some go-kart… formula 2 driver… ugh, whatever it is that you are.”

He laughs again. Oh that laugh... If you could hear it everyday on repeat, you would.

“Whatever it is? Cmon now, i’ll make it to the big leagues and you know it,” He winks at you and all you can afford is to roll your eyes back.

“Yeah yeah…”

Daniel was leaving in a month's time and honestly, you didn't want him to go. You wanted him to stay or at least convince him to (but you knew he didn't need that much convincing if it comes to you). But you knew it was selfish so you kept quiet and said nothing.

“The usual?” He asks as he places his bag down on the bench.

“Yeah,”

“Give me five minutes, and don’t you run away!”

You chuckled. “Now why would I do that? I love spending time with you.”

He smiles. “Of course you do. Anyone else would die just to be in your position right now.” He says, exaggerating the statement. He was so full of himself.

“Please don’t start.” You rolled your eyes. “And can you hurry please? I’m having the munchies,”

He laughs yet again. “Yes maam,” He salutes to you before jogging off to the store.

You sat quietly on the bench, kicking your legs. Usually, it would’ve been Ella, Caleb, Daniel and you. But ever since Ella and Caleb were a thing, their presence slowly faded from the group and suddenly it was just you and Daniel… which you didn’t mind at all to be frank.

“Hi,” He graces you with his presence.

“Hi,” You replied as he takes a seat beside you.

“Blueberry slushy and… sour cream chips for you! Oh don’t worry, I got Ruffles this time, didn’t make the mistake of getting Lays like last time. Ooh! I also got you tim-tams just in case.”

Tim-tams. You smile. He remembers...

“Thank you Daniel.”

“Daniel? Oh no, what did I do wrong? Was it the chips? Im sorry I should’v-” He starts to ramble with a panicked look on his face.

You cut him off. “No no! You did nothing wrong. Just.. thank you yeah?”

You can see his eyebrows furrow, confused at your sudden attitude change.

“Are you okay?” He places his palm on your forehead, as if to check for a fever. You laugh at his antics.

“You’re being weird. And can you call me Danny like you always do? Sounds weird when you call me.. Daniel.”

“But that’s... your name?”

“Yeah but I like it when you call me Danny.”

You smile. “Okay, Danny.”

“That’s more like it.” He says, scooting in closer to you. “Now are we gonna share this slushy or what?!”

-

Present.

“No..nothing special about this place.” You took another puff of your cigarette.

“Okay.” She takes a seat next to you, but you knew she wasn't buying it.

“Are you gonna stay a little longer this time? You haven’t been home and I miss having you around.” Your sister asks.

“If theres a reason for me to stay then sure,” You confidently say because you knew you had no reason to stay apart from her, your dad and your friends. But that wasn't enough to make you stay, no, you needed more than that.

“Oh I’m sure I can find a reason for you to stay.” She smirks.

“Is that so?” You cock your eyebrows at her, surprised at her confidence.

“Mmhmm. Just you wait.” Your sister says, determined.

-

A/N: hehehe finally its out!! i hope you enjoyed it :)) thank you for the love on chapter 1! do let me know your input, feedback (good & bad) appreciated as always <3 let me know if you want to be tagged!

🏷️: @mysticalnightenthusiast @moonvr

[danisbrainrot]

Here's a small little request!

Lucy Gray x Reader (Established Relationship)

Lucy Gray is really scared of how you will get along with the rest of the Covey cause their all really protective of each other. Reader meets the Covey on a journey to the lake and gets along with the Covey. The younger Covey members treat the Reader like an older sibling (annoying them as much as possible) and it just warms Lucy's heart.

Just a cute little idea!

lucy gray x reader

I'll always be such a softie for the covey <333 (I'll never forgive you, coriolanus, for stealing lucy gray from them.)

you stare in shock, mouth agape as your girlfriend invites you to go to the lake with the covey. "what?" she asks nervously, before you engulf her in your arms, embracing her tightly.

"of course I want to go," you reply, feeling her relax against your body. "I never thought you'd ask, honestly," you admit.

she sighs, pulling away gently and shrugging, "of course, it's about time you visited my favourite place in the world," she smiles widely. this relationship was still new—it was delicate. you didn't want to scare each other off just yet by being too forward. so when lucy gray asked, your heart warmed as you realised she was finally comfortable enough to consider inviting you to the covey's hiding place.

she kisses you passionately, before hearing her cue to go back on stage. "bye, darlin'," she whispers, before running on stage—leaving you to stare at her in awe.

the next day, you trudged along the dirt path that led to the forest from the seam with a backpack over your shoulders. once you get to the meadow, you spot the small group and wave out to them. you ran up to kiss lucy gray on the cheek, before being introduced to her family. maude ivory pulled you into a tight hug, smiling widely and nudging her cousin's side. lucy gray rolls her eyes, brushing off her younger cousin. barb azure offers you a kind smile while tam amber nods softly. clerk carmine smiles brightly and hugs you as well.

all six of you hike to the lake, chatting along the way. they were practically grilling you, "what do you do?" or "what did you think of last night's performance?" causing you to feel flustered. you answer honestly, occasionally looking for help from lucy gray, but other than that you were already getting along like a house on fire.

when you finally make it to the lake, everyone strips to their swimmers and runs to the pier. "I'll race ya!" maude ivory calls out, sprinting to the water as your eyes widen in shock. without hesitation, you chase after her—clerk carmine, wanting to feel included, not too far behind—and manage to jump off the pier before she could.

lucy gray's laughter echoed throughout the small area, as she watched you play with the younger children in the lake. she enjoyed watching you get along with her family, especially maude ivory. her younger cousin was an excellent test of character—and she'd taken an immediate liking to you.

as the day progresses, you become closer with the other members as well. tam amber and barb azure, while often quite soft spoken, found they could be comfortable around you and would engage in conversation eagerly.

at one point in the afternoon, you lock eyes with lucy gray, who intertwines her fingers with yours and rests her head on your shoulder. "well, they sure seem to like you," she teases.

"yeah. I'm glad you asked me out here today," you reply, kissing the top of her forehead.

"boy am I glad you came."

[0xeyedaisy]

Sooo,,, I want to do like. The opposite of a drawing request. I want you to list your favorite polos, from the official versions or from mods, or polos you'd just like to see drawn. I want to get better at drawing the polos and have fun with drawing new designs!! And I think this would be a fun way to do it.

Well! Since you asked... (I'll put it under the cut)

Starting with official versions, my favs are Lil Blaze and KC Glow from Wekiddy

And Monk and Koukaki from Dystopia!

Now Mods....

Careen and Gerald from Express!

Tam and The Watcher from Sepbox (specifically v5)

Jeff and Archbishop from Monochrome

Sticlafluier and Tragic from Xrun

Accident and ...Aughjaiuruskk... from Void

I could go on like this for a while, so let's stop here, you can draw whomever ya want out of all of these guys if ya want, but you don't have to!!

[the-alice-of-hearts]

DickTim Week Day 4: AOB

Rated Mature, 1150 words, while no archive warnings would apply these would be my warning tags: omegaverse, talk of mpreg but no actual mpreg in fic, alcohol mention, hangovers, mentions of drunk texting.

Posting a couple days late for @dicktimweek but I think I'm almost done with today's entry so it'll be on time!

“Fuck… fuck, fuck, fuck!” Tim rolled out of bed to pace across his room while continuing to check his phone. “Oh fuck.” 

“Uh, Tim, buddy? Wanna slow down and tell us what happened?” Steph asked from where she was sitting up on his bed. 

“What happened? What happened? You know what happened! You were there!” He stopped to stare at her. “Why didn’t you take away my phone after we did shots?!” He demanded. 

“Wouldn’t let us,” Cass grumbled and grabbed the blanket that Steph had moved off of them. “Sleep now, food later.” 

The other omega settled into Steph’s lap and started to snore again. 

“I drunk texted Dick!” Tim snapped and that woke Cass back up and got both girls looking at him. “Why would I do that???” 

Cass sat up and groaned. “Food first, then feelings.” 

“Well, I would love to go out on a date with him! But I already poured out all my feelings to him last night.” He hissed. 

Steph threw his pillow at him. “She means for us, idiot. Give me your card and I’ll order delivery, I am not taking you out when you can smell the distress coming off of you from a mile away.” 

Tim felt his face heat up and then started digging around for his wallet before tossing it to her. “Use the purple one, I’ll go shower. There’s water in the fridge.” 

He walked to the shower and then froze when his phone chimed with an incoming message. Quickly turning on the water he checked it, it was a message from Dick and he dreaded opening it knowing what he had sent last night.

Hope you’re feeling okay this morning. Need anything for the epic hangover you probably have?

Tim hovered his thumbs over the keys and finally gave up on sending a message back. He needed a shower and some water before he thought about talking to his long-time crush after confessing his feelings for the alpha. “Ugh! Stupid!” 

---

Tim was settling down to eat breakfast with Cass and Steph when there was another knock at the door. They all looked at the door and then back to one another before Steph got up to check it. “You expecting anyone, boyfriend?” 

Tim shook his head and watched her open the door. “Oh thank god he’s not alone.” Dick’s voice drifted into the apartment. 

“Hey, Dick!” Cass called from the table inviting him in. “Want some pancakes?” 

Tim kicked Cass under the table and glared at her. She turned to stick her tongue out at him. 

Dick looked around when Steph got back to her seat and then looked straight at Tim. “Sorry, I know you guys are probably recuperating from last night. I was just worried when Tim didn’t answer my text this morning.” 

“Uh, yeah, sorry. I was in the shower and then food was here when I got out.” Tim couldn’t keep eye contact and kept looking back at the table. 

“Welp! This is totally not awkward!” Steph stood up and grabbed Cass by the hand. “See ya later Tim-tam, let me know if you need anything.” 

The girls were out of the apartment before Tim could say anything to stop them leaving him with a wink and a lear on Steph’s part and a thumbs up from Cass. 

“Have you drank water?” Dick asked from much closer than he had been before. 

Tim turned to look at the alpha and nodded. “Yeah, drank a bottle when I got out of the shower.” 

“Good,” Dick responded and then moved in closer to Tim. “I have some questions.” 

Tim sighed and looked down at his hands. “Yeah, that makes sense. I said… a lot last night.” 

Tim heard Dick pull Steph’s chair over so he could sit right next to Tim. “You did, and I know you, so I know that it’s likely if I didn’t track you down this morning then you wouldn’t let me near you at all for months until I quit asking about it.” 

Tim shook his head and picked at his eggs. “Wouldn’t have taken months.” 

Dick chuckled and carefully pulled Tim’s free hand into his own. “You’re right, but it would have been unstable.” 

“Ask your questions,” Tim said in a small voice. 

“Did you mean it?” Dick asked carefully. 

Tim winced and kept his attention on his plate. “I- well I- it’s-”

“Omega, look at me,” Dick commanded him and Tim was compelled to look at his chosen alpha. “Don’t try to explain it away, just yes or no, did you mean it?” 

Tim swallowed and gave a jerky nod. “Yes.” 

Dick trailed one of his hands up Tim’s arm. “All of it?” 

“Yes, alpha.” Tim whimpered when Dick lightly tickled the inside of his elbow. 

“You want me?” Dick asked again.

“Dick, I want you more than sober me can explain,” Tim admitted. 

“Try to,” Dick whispered, leaning in closer. 

Tim thought about it for a second and then looked at Dick’s eyes, they were warm and open and loving, and maybe this would be okay. He took a shaky breath and started. “I crave your scent, even when I’m not in heat. I want to be near you and to make you smile makes me so insanely happy. I light up when you laugh at one of my jokes because I know that you’re pleased with me. When I smell other omegas on you I want to cover you in my own scent and make you smell like mine. When I am in heat all I can think about is the one emergency heat cycle that you spent taking care of me. I want you to claim me, and mark me up, I want you to make me smell so much like an owned omega that the board members gag on it. I want to have you in my nest for every heat and I want you to pump me full of pups.” 

Dick smiled at him and placed a hand on Tim’s cheek holding his face still. “If you have no objection, I’m going to kiss you now.” 

Tim stared into his eyes. “I need you to be sure. I can’t be a fling, not with you.” 

Dick brushed a thumb under Tim’s eye. “Babybird, you have no idea how many nights I have stayed awake wishing to hear those words from you. Every time you came over I wanted to take you to my den and have my way with you. I want to feed you and provide for you, I want to see you be the dam to my pups and help me train each of them to be tech geniuses and acrobats combined into one. Tim, I want you so badly, and reading your drunk texts just confirmed that for me. Please let me kiss you, please let me claim you.”

[blamgranules]

Here's my problem with the 'Citadel Evil' theory

It's boring. It's obvious. It's easy.

"Oops, I joined the baddies" doesn't even count as a plot twist or a reveal. Like John Grisham, a man who wrote books for Boomer dads to read on airplanes, made that the premise—the premise—of one of his books. It was right there on the back cover: a good guy joins a corrupt law firm. And he called the book 'The Firm'. That's how up front he was about that idea because that's how unsurprising the idea was in 1991.

Y'all are really out here looking at Brennan Lee Mulligan and Aabria Iyengar and going "I bet Suvi's arc is 'I joined the bad guys and I have a lot of feelings about it'". We are in arc 3 of this mamma-jamma and your pet theory is "we're building up to issue #1 of 'Runaways'". You think that Brennan and Aabria sat down together and went "okay, so in arc 7 of this story, we're going to do Simon Tam's monologue from the pilot of 'Firefly', but we're going to stretch it across ten episodes".

Come on, people! "One of our heroes discovers she's actually part of the bad guys" is something that would happen in book 2 of a YA series written by a booktokker who wanted to write a stand-alone, but got pressured by their publisher into doing a trilogy.

Are y'all not watching 'Fantasy High'? Have you not seen how deep Brennan buries his heel turns? The fact that Aabria and Brennan (Aabrennan, if you will) have dropped just enough dirt on the Citadel to make you think they're fascists without actually showing that they're fascists all but proves that they aren't fascists.

It's way more likely, knowing these two storytellers, that Suvi's parents were evil and they have a secret machination somewhere that only Suvi can neutralize and all the little suggestions that Steel is trying to control Suvi is actually Steel trying to make sure that Suvi doesn't turn evil and bring her villainous parents' plot to fruition.

[rosenecklaces]

Bitches hate on Elain soooo bad they want her away from the story so fucking bad on gooooood

If you want to fuck a fictional woman beater that bad that's on you, yes I'm talking straight up to all of you tamlin tamlain motherfuckers because there's not fucking way y'all REALLY believe your own shit, you cannot be so damn dumb to think elain would fall for her sister abuser like HOW does that makes any sense in y'all rotten brains when s*m HERSELF HATES his little tasteless sorry irrelevant bitch ass??? Y'all remember he was classified as such not only in text but also by the own book last page having an abuse headline written right DOWN cause of HIS parts????

This is the same people crying and shitting their grandma panties about Rhysand actions and how Feyre jokes about Lulu's friends but then they try to come here thinking they eating some gold with pushing a nonexistent narrative of tam ending up been good for elain by the mere fact you cannot even FATHOM the way she is loved by many INCLUDED but not limited to the characters in the books while you either want her quiet and submissive on the background or straight up death (which? Fork founded on kitchen huh! That's why the woman beater is shipped with her that badly I see!) Highly recommend y'all to go re-read your badly written dark romance shitty booktok books where the men sexual assault the mc with no repercussions that you love so much, fae romance YA with vanilla sex is NOT it to get in much less when you want creators/users to jump to that rancid acid trip with you

[bookishfeylin]

I’m curious on what your opinion is on tams red flag behavior in book one and just “fantasy male character behavior” in general. Like I see people talk about how gross and terrible he was in book one and yeah I’d run away fast if I met him but it also wasn’t anywhere near being worse that a lot other popular book men. Like where’s the line for you? Whats going to far? Should these characters be in ya?

Hi anon! I’ve talked about this topic quite a bit all over my blog but it’s complicated for me. IMO I DO think YA romantic relationships (fantasy romance in particular) as a whole are more toxic than not and really ought to be examined, critiqued, and called out more often, but ACOTAR is a unique case as it started as NA (or book 1 specifically was first published in NA I should say). If it’d stayed in NA it wouldn’t be an issue but alas. ACOTAR was moved to YA to sell more (this all occurred prior to ACOMAF being published iirc), and then after YEARS of the series being sold as YA they were moved back to NA with the release of ACOSF. I feel like they simply never should’ve been in YA to begin with, especially if she ultimately moved them back to NA, so… Additionally, the books, unlike your average YA fantasy, are trying specifically to teach the audience about healthy and unhealthy relationships. That complicates the convo more so than if these books DIDN'T discuss and attempt to teach about abuse like most other YA fantasy books. I do think, if you’re going to attempt to teach about a topic as important as abuse, you should hold your relationships to a higher standard, and ESPECIALLY if you’re writing for a younger and more impressionable audience. BUTTTTTTTT ACOTAR 1 is for all intents and purposes a BATB retelling. The BATB fairytale is nearly inherently unhealthy by real world standards, but we all… know that? Including teens (or I’d like to believe that, at least)? And Tamlin's character is the beast, so how much do we truly gain from calling out his red flags when we all knew he was going to act beastly going in? Like sure, I don’t like to see these types of behaviors promoted in YA as a general rule and I’m certainly glad to see them critiqued by the author, but I and I’m sure most others do expect them and arguably make exceptions for them in a BATB retelling *specifically* because. That’s the fairytale??? And I don’t think BATB retellings should be banned from YA or anything in spite of the fact that they’re again nearly inherently unhealthy? So yeah. It’s complicated. And because I want some nuance here I’ll just copy and paste some of my more concise opinions from other posts I’ve made:

As I've said in all of my posts where I discuss Tamlin's red flags, he certainly HAS them, but I've yet to see anyone name a red flag he has that Rhysand doesn't also exhibit. While I don't necessarily agree that other characters are more of a bad guy than he is, ACOTAR!Tamlin does not stand out much from any other male in the rest of this series. Is he a significantly older male with power and influence courting a younger less powerful woman? Yes. Is he violent, possessive, and jealous to a degree (though it's not nearly on ACOMAF! Tamlin's level)? Yes.

But so is everyone else. It doesn't work as a red flag because everyone acts that way. If we indict ACOTAR!Tamlin, then either EVERYONE has red flags, or it's "just how faeries are" and we leave it at that. Is Rhysand a significantly older male with power and influence courting a younger less powerful woman? Yes. Is Rhysand violent, possessive, and jealous to a degree? Yes.

ACOTAR!Tamlin is no worse than the bat boys. ACOTAR!Tamlin truly doesn't stand out in this series. It makes calling ACOTAR!Tamlin a walking red flag very very HARD when he's objectively not worse than the main heroes of the story--unless they too are walking red flags.

~~~

I love BATB retellings and Feylin, in book 1 where I ship it, is just that. It is no better or worse than a BATB retelling in a world with fae can be, and this works because Sarah isn’t trying to sell book 1 Feylin's relationship as healthy or frankly as anything other than a retelling of a popular fairytale a fairytale that has been scrutinized for Stockholm syndrome and the like. The rest of the books, aside from being very different in characterization, worldbuilding, tone, theme, and overall being very disjointed, retconned-filled continuations of the first book, also are hypocritical in the discussion of domestic violence, attacking said fairytale retelling for failing to meet real world standards of what a healthy relationship is (something it could never do as it was, again, a retelling of a fairytale that’s KNOWN to not be 100% healthy) while simultaneously propping up ANOTHER retelling-based-relationship as the ~healthier option~ despite it likewise being incapable of truly meeting our standards of healthiness and morality. The fandom often insists on critiquing Tamlin’s “red flags”, proclaiming Feylin was unhealthy and doomed from the beginning, but if the same treatment is done back to Rhysand and Feysand then the fandom’s tune becomes “how dare you use real world morality to critique their relationship???” Feysand literally begins with Rhysand mind-raping Feyre and then molesting her for months UTM??? Which is much worse than ANYTHING Tamlin ever did in the first book? If this series, and this fandom, truly cared about abuse as a theme then both Feylin and Feysand would be correctly critiqued as abusive, as neither of the fairytales they’re based on and are retelling are healthy. So that’s where I come in, and I correctly call them both toxic. But the fandom at large and the books don't do this, and the real world standards injected in the second book are deemed only applicable to Feylin, the BATB retelling, and not Feysand, the Hades and Persephone retelling. So I won’t judge my ship in the ***first book*** based on standards that were included ***later*** in the series and that are applied hypocritically to them alone and no other relationship. As I’ve said before, it’s very clear from the way no other major relationship in this series is critiqued by the same standards that abuse, domestic violence, and red flags were only discussed as themes solely to discredit their relationship, not least of all because it’s incredibly hard to apply real world standards to every character in a fantasy series without everyone being labeled unhealthy or problematic to some degree, to say nothing about that difficulty increasing in a fairytale retelling specifically. Feylin in book 1 is a fantasy fairytale retelling and nothing more; it’s not trying to comment on abuse. The rest of the books do, but hypocritically by only holding one retelling-based-relationship accountable for failing to meet real world standards of healthiness and morality instead of critiquing them both. The hypocrisy ruins the rest of the series for me (and has me side-eye a lot of the fandom for not caring about one relationship being analyzed by real world standards and the other one getting a pass and being labelled healthy anyway), so I simply prefer to enjoy book 1 and the relationship therein as an (imperfect) standalone fantasy.

[goforth-ladymidnight]

A Second Chance

Chapter 2 (Read Ch. 1 here)

Pairing: Tamlin x Lucien

Word Count: 5.6k

Chapter Summary: Lucien and Tamlin meet up for their date/not-a-date with Jurian and Vassa.

@praetorqueenreyna @acotargiftexchange (If anyone else would like to be tagged for the next chapter, please let me know!)

Read on AO3, or keep reading below:

Lucien breathed a cloud of warm air onto his gloved hands and briskly rubbed them together as he and Vassa stood on the sidewalk outside the bar. The golden streetlamp above their heads showed the first tiny snowflakes drifting from a thick night sky. It was ten past seven, and there was still no sign of his old friend.

“Do you think he is coming?” Vassa asked, looking like a snow angel in her long white coat and fur cap.

“I don’t know. I hope so,” Lucien said, scanning the sidewalk in either direction. “But if he doesn’t show up soon, we’re going to lose our table.”

“Shall we wait inside?”

“They won’t seat us until the whole party is here.” Lucien sighed. “I hate to ruin your Christmas present by keeping you waiting out here in the cold, though…”

She shrugged. “This is nothing. Winter is much colder in Scythia.”

He had to admit that was true as he breathed into his cupped hands. He had spent a year abroad in Scythia, after all. Even though he liked to joke that fire flowed through his veins, that fire was in short supply right now.

A car door slammed nearby, and as he turned his head to look, he saw a familiar figure step onto the curb. Relief spread through him like sunshine melting ice, and he grinned.

“Hey,” he told Tamlin warmly. “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

Tamlin’s breath misted the air as he joined Lucien and Vassa inside the circle of golden lamplight. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said, gesturing behind him with a shy smile. “We couldn’t find parking.”

Lucien opened his mouth to greet the blonde woman walking up behind him, but she skirted around them to greet someone else who had walked out of the bar to meet her. As Tamlin gestured instead to the man who had just stepped onto the curb—a brawny fellow he introduced as Jurian—Lucien realized that this was the friend Tamlin had mentioned in the bookstore. As Lucien looked him over, he wondered where they could have possibly met.

This Jurian fellow was much older, mid-forties at least, or so he guessed from his salt and pepper hair, but he had an easy grin and a firm grip as he shook Lucien’s hand.

“Hey, how ya doin’,” Jurian said. “Tam’s told me a lot about you.”

Lucien dismissed the jealous twinge when he heard the nickname, since Tamlin rarely let anyone use it, but that was… before. So many other things had changed over the years, why not this? “Good to meet you,” he managed.

He meant to introduce Vassa, but he was still processing the fact that Tamlin’s friend was male. Tamlin hadn’t said one way or the other, but… Did this meeting still count as a date, or even a double date? They were just friends. They were all just friends, weren’t they? Even so, he was surprised at how surprised he was.

Vassa didn’t wait for an introduction as she accepted Jurian’s outstretched hand with a cool smile.

Jurian let out a surprised laugh when she let go. “Say, you’ve got quite a grip there, Princess.”

She lifted her chin and looked him over. “Vassa,” she said coolly.

“Vassa,” he repeated with a charming smile. “What a lovely name. Scythian, isn’t it?”

She nodded, and agreed in her native tongue.

Jurian inclined his head, then asked if she was named after her mother. When Vassa said that she was, he remarked that if her mother was half as lovely as she was, then she must be quite beautiful indeed… And he said all of this in perfect—though badly accented—Scythian.

Vassa was the first to break the stunned silence. She breathed a laugh as she realized what had just happened. “I… thank you.” An amused smile touched the corners of her mouth as she tucked a stray strand of red-gold hair behind her rosy ear. “You are cute, but pronunciation needs work.”

Jurian grinned. “Are you giving lessons?”

She gave him a delicate, disinterested shrug. “That depends.”

“On what?”

“On how much you know Scythian.”

He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I know enough to get by,” he said, then shoved his hands inside his dark coat pockets as he leaned in. “Mostly I save it for special occasions.”

“And this is special?”

“Certainly,” he said with a charming smile. “It’s not every day I’m introduced to the prettiest girl in Prythian.”

She broke into a surprised smile at last she lowered her gaze and called him the Scythian equivalent of “Flatterer”, but she seemed… pleased.

Their flirtatious exchange might have continued if Tamlin had not leaned towards his friend and muttered, “Since when do you speak Scythian?”

Lucien suddenly wanted to know the same thing.

Jurian chuckled. “I’ve been around a while,” he said with a dismissive shrug. “You come across a lot of interesting people in my line of work. You pick up things, here and there.”

Lucien found his voice at last and asked, “What exactly is your line of work?”

“I’m a consultant,” Jurian said with an easy smile. “But we can exchange more pleasantries inside where it’s warm. Shall we?”

Lucien gawked as Jurian bent and offered his arm to the much shorter Vassa, who slowly took it, looking surprised at herself and yet somehow charmed. In all the years he had known her, he had never thought she would be swayed by such overt flattery.

As they followed a few steps behind the mismatched couple, Tamlin huffed a laugh beside him. “Not even five minutes ago he was swearing up a storm at someone who tried to steal our parking spot. You’d never know it from that little performance, though.”

Lucien watched Jurian give Vassa a mocking little bow as he held the door open for her. “Should I be worried?”

“Nah. Jurian’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s not a bad guy.”

Lucien wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t want to push Tamlin away by insulting his friend, so he decided to change the subject. “How long have you two known each other?”

Tamlin blew out his cheeks as he thought about it. “Six years, give or take.”

“You met after college, then.”

Tamlin’s smile stiffened as it had that afternoon. “Yeah.”

Lucien longed to know what secrets laid behind that tight-lipped smile, but that would have to wait until they made it to their table. Smooth jazz greeted them as they stepped through the doorway, along with a welcome blast of hot air from the vent above their heads.

The Sour Lemon Bar had recently opened their doors near the arts district, and had already established itself as one of the better places to get a drink before going to the theater, a gallery opening, or the concert hall. Neon lighting in the shape of a lemon wedge hung above the bar, but the rest of the lemon-themed décor was tastefully abstract. The walls were an icy yellow, the round tables were pale, frosted glass, and the fake potted lemon trees lining the walls were decorated in soft white Christmas lights.

Their table was at the back on an elevated platform overlooking the rest of the establishment. Jazzy Christmas played above the babble of the crowd. If they had waited any longer, they might have lost their table. There wasn’t an empty table or chair in sight.

As the seating hostess told them that their server would be with them shortly, Lucien thanked her and slipped his gloves into his pockets.

Jurian was already helping Vassa out of her coat, so Lucien, not wanting to feel completely useless, turned and brushed the melting snowflakes from Tamlin’s shoulders.

“Oh, hey, thanks,” Tamlin said distractedly, shrugging off the same bomber jacket he had worn that afternoon.

“No problem,” Lucien said quickly, trying not to stare at the thin material of the evergreen sweater Tamlin was wearing. He could see the outline of his muscles underneath. It didn’t look at all warm enough for this kind of weather.

Realizing that he was the only one still wearing a coat, Lucien quickly shrugged off his navy wool peacoat and draped it across the back of his chair.

Too late, he realized that the metal chairs were uncomfortably tall for a woman of Vassa’s height, but it seemed Jurian was two steps ahead of him there, too.

The older man held her hand and kept the chair steady as she stepped onto the footrest and slid gracefully into her seat.

As she adjusted her short cobalt cocktail dress and tossed her long red hair over her shoulder, she looked like a queen surveying her domain. Lucien realized that he didn’t have to worry… But he was still strangely annoyed.

As the rest of them took their seats at the tall, frosted glass table, Jurian remarked, “So, do they serve any food besides peanuts in this establishment?” He reached around the bowl of mixed nuts to pick up the paper menu, then turned it over with a critical squint.

“I’m sure they do,” Lucien replied coolly, trying to keep his tone neutral enough yet loud enough to be heard above the crowd and a jazzy rendition of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’. “Go ahead and order whatever you want.”

“Didn’t you say something about dinner later?” Tamlin asked hesitantly as he leaned over to look at the menu in Jurian’s hands. “These drinks are kind of expensive. We don’t want to put you out.”

Lucien chided himself for his bad mood and managed to smile. “Don’t worry about it,” he said sincerely. “This is part of my Christmas present to Vassa, courtesy of the Autumn Corporation.”

Tamlin straightened up and smiled a soft, grateful smile that warmed Lucien’s heart to see it.

Across the table, Jurian let out a low whistle as he looked over the other side of the menu. “Well, in that case, I’m getting two appetizers.”

Just then a harried-looking server appeared to take their order with a badge shaped like a smiling lemon wedge. “Welcome to The Sour Lemon,” she recited, clicking her pen and pulling out a pad of paper. “Our specials tonight include the Sugar Cookie Martini and our Old-Fashioned Spiced Eggnog. Please drink responsibly, yada-yada… What’ll it be.”

Tamlin needed another minute, so Lucien went first.

“Vodka cranberry with a slice of lime.”

Vassa ordered a fireball martini, and Jurian asked for a Jack and Coke.

When the server looked to Tamlin expectantly, he shrugged and said, “Just a ginger ale for me, thanks.”

Lucien looked at his old friend in surprise. “Are you sure? Seriously, you can have anything you want—”

Tamlin winced and waved him off. “I’m sure. I’m driving, so…”

Jurian loudly cleared his throat. “Miss?” he said, getting the server’s attention as she turned to go.

Her pinched expression didn’t change, but her eyes flicked back and her pen ceased its scrawling.

“Could we get a platter of those lemon parmesan artichoke bottom things with…” He squinted. “…pine nuts for the table? And see if you can get the kitchen to scrounge up some mozzarella sticks or potato skins while you’re at it. These options are a joke.”

The server rolled her eyes, but she dutifully wrote it down. At least, she wrote something down. The Sour Lemon Bar didn’t serve things like chicken wings, but at least they weren’t the kind of place to spit in your food. At least, he hoped not.

With the server gone, Vassa rested her elbows on the table and laced her fingers together as she leaned closer to Jurian. “Tell me more about these mozzarella sticks,” she asked him. “This is food?”

Jurian smiled a rather charmed smile as he turned in his chair to face her. “Princess, you are in for a treat,” he began.

Lucien cocked a skeptical brow, but was distracted from commenting when Tamlin lightly touched his shoulder and leaned in.

“Hey, thanks for the invitation,” Tamlin told him in a low voice. “It’s been really great to see you again.”

“Hey, it was my pleasure,” Lucien told him with a sincere smile. “I would have chosen a quieter venue if I had known, but… I’m glad you could come. Both of you,” he added somewhat reluctantly.

There was a knowing twinkle in Tamlin’s green eyes as he smiled and rested his chin on his hand. “Me, too,” was all he said.

A bluesy cover of ‘Let It Snow’ began to play, and for the first time that night, Lucien began to relax. He rested his folded arms on the table and asked Tamlin, “So, what have you been up to? How come we haven’t run into each other before now?”

It seemed like a harmless enough question, but Tamlin’s smile tightened once more. “I travel a lot… for work,” he said, sounding apologetic as he lowered his hand to drum his fingers on the tabletop.

“What do you do?” Lucien asked without thinking, then quickly amended, “I mean, is it okay that I ask you about what you do?”

Tamlin took in a slow, deep breath, apparently considering his answer, when a loud crack drew their attention across the table.

Jurian dumped the broken kernel of what was left of a walnut into his other palm as he answered, “Tam is my assistant. He answers the phone, sorts the mail, and sits in the passenger seat so I can drive for free in the carpool lane.”

Without waiting for a reply, he popped the kernel into his mouth, then made a face. “Oh, god. Sorry,” he said, grimacing as he slowly chewed. After a rather exaggerated swallow, he dropped the broken shell back into the bowl and dusted off his hands. “I don’t—I don’t think these are actually edible.”

As he began massaging his throat, Vassa laid a hand on his arm. “You are allergic?” she asked worriedly.

“Only to shellac.”

Lucien’s eye twitched.

But Vassa laughed. She actually laughed. She rubbed his arm and told him in Scythian, “Oh, my poor little Nutcracker,” then switched back to say, “Your hair is too shaggy to be Nutcracker though.”

Jurian smirked like a spoiled lap cat as she reached out to run her fingers through his mess of dark hair. “I’ve been meaning to get it cut,” he remarked. As his other hand came to rest not-so-casually on her hand still resting on the table, he continued, “Unless you like it better like this.”

Lucien was spared additional torture by the arrival of their drinks.

The novelty coasters were shaped like uncut lemons and tossed onto the table like cards in a poker game. As the server began placing their drinks on each coaster, Tamlin stopped her and said, “Actually—sorry, um—could I get a fresh ginger ale in a can, please?”

His ginger ale had a cinnamon stick and a thin lemon slice wedged on the rim. There was nothing wrong with it as far as Lucien could see, but rather than replace it like he had asked, the server simply stared at him. “You know this is a bar, sir. You can buy cans at the store for less, and in bulk.”

Clearly flustered, Tamlin stammered, “I know. I-I mean, if it’s not much trouble. It’s just…”

When he faltered, Lucien whipped out his credit card and placed it on the serving tray. “I don’t care if you have to go down to the store yourself, give my friend what he asked for, on my tab,” he said firmly.

The server looked like she had just bitten down on a sour lemon, but she took the credit card—and the undrunk glass of ginger ale—back with her to the bar.

Tamlin ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck as he muttered an apology.

“Don’t worry about it,” Lucien assured him, squeezing his shoulder. “Sometimes you don’t want anything added to the mix. I get it.”

“Yeah,” Tamlin muttered, his cheeks still flushed.

Lucien noticed a thoughtful frown on Jurian’s face as he watched their exchange, but when he noticed Lucien looking, he simply smiled.

“So. Lu,” he began, much to Lucien’s annoyance, “what do you do for a living?”

“Family business,” Lucien said coolly.

“Autumn Corp, right?”

Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah.”

“Manufacturing?”

“Legal department.”

“Ah,” Jurian said politely, then turned to Vassa before Lucien could respond. “What about you, Princess? Vassa,” he corrected when she gave him a look over the rim of her glass.

She slowly licked her lips as she lowered the martini glass to the table. “What about me?”

“You’re from Scythia, right? What brings you to our fair shores?”

A sly smile touched her lips as she twirled the stem of the glass between her fingers. “Sightseeing.”

He smirked and slowly swirled his drink, making the ice cubes clink, and asked in a low, meaningful voice, “And do you like what you see?”

Tamlin coughed loudly into his fist, but Jurian—and Vassa—ignored him.

Instead, her long lashes lowered as she slowly looked him up and down. “So far.”

Lucien couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew Vassa liked older men, but this was getting out of hand. Before he could say anything, he was startled by someone tapping him on the shoulder.

“Excuse me, Mr. Vanserra.” Their server stood there, credit card held high between two fingers. She looked rather smug as she handed it back. “There’s a phone call for you. Behind the bar.”

Lucien’s brow furrowed as he slowly pocketed the card. He hadn’t told anyone where he was going except for his guests, so it was with some confusion that he excused himself from the group, then followed the server to the telephone. The black handset was sticky as he lifted it to his ear, and he winced, not sure what to expect.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Lulu.”

Lucien bolted upright as if he’d been zapped by the receiver. “Eris?”

“Having a good time with your little friend over at The Sour Lemon?”

Lucien closed his gaping mouth when he noticed the bartender staring. Covering his mouth and the receiver with his hand, he muttered, “How did you know I was here?”

He could just imagine Eris sitting back in his ergonomic office chair with his feet propped up on the desk, working late, as usual. “The bank just notified me that you’ve gone on a little spending spree.”

Lucien’s face flushed. “So?”

“So, Dad’s gonna be pretty pissed when he gets the bill.” Eris rattled off the charges. “Theater tickets, dinner reservations at The Aquarium, lunch at The Grapevine, something from R. Nook, and now drinks at The Sour Lemon?” He could almost hear Eris moving his feet off the desk to hunch over the phone. “Come on, Lu. After that whole Jesminda fiasco? What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that it’s Christmas,” Lucien countered, trying to keep his temper. “Vassa’s not going to be in town very long, and I just wanted to show her a good time.”

“Yeah, well, this good time better include an engagement ring or something, because there’s a very good chance Dad’s going to cut you off for spending money on another hooker.”

Lucien growled. “She’s not a—” He covered his mouth and the receiver when he noticed the bartender still polishing the same spot on the counter, listening in, then hissed, “—A hooker. And Dad’s one to talk. How much does he spend in a month on his mistress, anyway?”

“Hey. Take it up with the big man himself,” Eris said, sounding tired. “I just write the checks.”

“Yeah. Some of the time,” he muttered.

“What was that?”

Lucien grimaced and switched the sticky receiver to his other ear. “Look. Vassa and I are just friends, all right? We’ve known each other for years.”

“I know. That’s part of the problem.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“When was the last time you went on a proper date?”

Lucien groaned. “Not this again.”

“I mean it. You’re spending all this money with nothing to show for it.”

“Mom put you up to this, didn’t she.”

Eris breathed a laugh into the receiver. “Hey, there are seven of us. You’re last on the list to give her grandbabies, all right? I’m the first one with his pecker on the chopping block.”

“And how’s that going, by the way?”

“I’m giving Mom a cruise for Christmas,” Eris said, sidestepping the question. “What about you?”

Lucien grimaced, mentally crossing fruit basket off his list. “I’m still thinking.”

“Yeah, well, think twice before you spend more money on these so-called friends than you do on your own mother, all right?” Eris said chidingly.

Lucien closed his eyes and sighed as he tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, all right,” he mumbled, then waved off the bartender when he twirled his finger, urging him to wrap it up.

“Listen, I’ll tell the bank to approve what you’ve already spent, but that’s it for tonight, all right?” Eris was saying. “I don’t want to hear anything about steak and lobster or fresh calamari platters or oysters that come with free jewelry, you got that?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Lucien muttered, turning away from the impatient bartender. He caught sight of the others still waiting for him at the table and winced. Jurian and Vassa were sitting shoulder to shoulder and hip to hip, doubtlessly engaged in some kind of lurid conversation, while Tamlin distractedly rolled an uncracked nut between his fingers, patiently waiting for his drink order. Meanwhile, Lucien’s untouched vodka cranberry was probably dripping condensation onto its lovely lemon novelty coaster. “Hey, Eris?”

“What?”

“If I promise not to charge Dad an arm and a leg for dinner, would you let me buy a couple extra theater tickets?” He felt like a child, whining to stay up past his bedtime. “I just ran into an old friend from college, and—”

“What did I just say about spending money on your quote-unquote friends?” Eris said sharply. Lucien could just see the aggressive air quotes his brother was making on the other end of the line. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have a hard enough time explaining these charges as it is. You’re on your own tonight, kiddo.”

Lucien gnawed at the inside of his cheek, bitterly disappointed that this evening was not going the way he planned. First Jurian, and now this… Sour Lemons, indeed.

When he didn’t respond, Eris sighed into the receiver. “Hey,” he said more gently. “Do you need some cash? You can swing by the office if you like. I’m still here, so…”

“No, it’s fine,” Lucien insisted. “I’ve got enough to cover drinks. You go home. Sleep. Shower. Shave. That office of yours is starting to smell like a locker room.”

He could hear Eris smirking into the phone. “Like you would know. Yours is starting to look like a museum.”

Lucien huffed a laugh. It had been a while since he’d gotten any work done. “Hey, Eris?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks… for giving me a heads-up. You know, instead of giving someone else the satisfaction of cutting up a Vanserra credit card. Dad would never let me hear the end of it.”

“Tell me about it,” Eris said wearily. “But, yeah. I know. Take care of yourself tonight, kiddo.”

When Lucien returned to the table, ginger ale in hand, he was already formulating a new plan.

Vassa had apparently excused herself to go to the ladies’ room, so that was one less person he had to lie to.

“Hey,” Tamlin said, accepting the unopened can with a grateful nod. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, no, it’s fine,” Lucien insisted, taking his seat. He laced his fingers together and nervously twiddled his thumbs. “Listen… I was just thinking of giving you a—a rain check for Swan Lake tonight. There’s no way they could seat us together. I checked.”

Tamlin nodded slowly. “So, just dinner, then?”

Lucien winced. “They lost my reservation,” he lied, reaching for his drink at last. “That’s what the call was for.”

As he lifted his drink for that first sweet alcoholic sip, he noticed Jurian and Tamlin exchange a look. He paused, then slowly lowered the glass to the table, a question on his lips, when Jurian noticed him looking and looked away.

“What did I tell ya,” Jurian muttered. Thump. “OW.” He winced as he bent over to rub his shin, which Tamlin had clearly just kicked.

Lucien looked between them and demanded, “What was that all about?”

“It’s nothing,” Tamlin said hurriedly, cheeks red.

“It’s nothing,” Jurian echoed, frowning, still rubbing. “Except that your dad once stiffed me on a job, so…” Something between embarrassment and indignation heated the back of Lucien’s neck as Jurian continued, “I would say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but…”

“But what?”

“Like I said, it’s nothing,” Jurian said dismissively, raising his drink for a swallow.

“Well, what was the job? I’ll have the legal department cut you a check in the morning.”

Jurian waved him off with his free hand, returning the near empty glass to the table. “Forget it. It was at least fifteen years ago. Bygones, and all that.”

Before Lucien could retort that the bygones were clearly not bygone, Tamlin laid his hand on his wrist and left it there.

“I know you wouldn’t back out of an obligation like that,” Tamlin said near his ear. “That’s not your style. Jurian just happened to mention some shitty thing your dad did back in the day, but it has nothing to do with you. Okay?”

Lucien nodded, feeling numb when Tamlin took his hand away. “Yeah,” he said gruffly. “Okay.”

“Okay,” Tamlin said again, smiling. “So, what did you have in mind for dinner?”

As Lucien considered his next white lie, Jurian pushed himself away from the table and declared, “Somewhere with mozzarella sticks. Vassa and I already discussed it.”

Lucien’s brows shot up. “You did what?”

Jurian didn’t pause to explain, as his attention was on Vassa, who had just returned to the table. “You are ready?” she asked him.

Momentarily stunned into silence, Lucien looked to Tamlin for answers.

Tamlin hunched over his drink with a resigned, somewhat embarrassed shrug. “He said he’s not in the mood for filet mignon tonight, so…”

“That is all right with you, yes?” Vassa asked Lucien. As Jurian helped her into her long white coat—because of course he was—she flipped her hair free from her collar and explained, “I have never experienced such foods before. Jurian calls it a—how you say—” She turned to Jurian for a clue and murmured something in Scythian.

“A smorgasbord,” Jurian said softly, resting his hands on her shoulders.

“A smorgasborg!” she announced happily.

As annoyed as Lucien was, he couldn’t help but chuckle. With a resigned sigh, he rested his chin upon his hand. “What about Swan Lake?” he reminded her.

Her bright smile vanished as she looked to Jurian, looking torn. “Oh… We can be through by nine o’clock, yes?” she asked him hesitantly.

“Sure thing, Princess,” he said with a fond, yet somewhat sad, smile.

Lucien was suddenly seized with a mad idea, and reached for his wallet. “Hey,” he said, taking something out. “Take these. Go. Have a good time.”

The two tickets to Swan Lake laid face-up on the frosted glass tabletop next to the bowl of mixed nuts.

Vassa understood what he was suggesting before the others did, and she gasped. “Oh, Lucien,” she breathed, steepling her hands in front of her mouth. Her bright blue eyes were shining. “You are certain?”

Lucien smiled. “I am certain,” he said in Scythian.

Vassa beamed.

Jurian bent over the table, squinting, then straightened up and let out a low whistle at the box seat tickets. “Whoa. Want me to pay you back? I could donate one of my kidneys, if that helps.”

Lucien chuckled and shook his head. “Nah. After what my dad did, let’s just call it even, all right?”

Jurian’s eyes crinkled in a genuine smile as he nodded. “Yeah. All right. You’re all right, kid.”

That was high praise, especially if Jurian had had dealings with Beron Vanserra in the past. Even though it didn’t completely change his opinion, Lucien began to think that Jurian was kind of all right, too.

As the mismatched couple made to leave, he in black and she in white, Tamlin stopped them. “How exactly are you going to get there?” he asked with a meaningful look.

Jurian’s hand went to his side pocket, which was apparently empty, and he grimaced. “Oh, well, I… huh.”

“Vassa and I came here in a cab,” Lucien suggested.

Jurian looked like he had swallowed another bad walnut. “I’ve known too many cabbies in my lifetime to let one of those bloodsuckers anywhere near my wallet,” he said grimly. “How far is it to walk?”

Lucien was going to tell him it was a couple blocks, but that it was farther to Vassa’s hotel. Before he could, though, Tamlin took something from his pocket and tossed it. When Jurian snatched it from the air, it jingled.

“Aren’t you glad I made you clean out the SUV today?” he quipped.

Jurian grinned and pocketed the keys. “Thanks, Tam. I owe you big time.”

“Just remember to watch where you’re going,” Tamlin said pointedly.

Jurian winked. “See ya later, kid.” He gave Lucien a mock salute. “Vanserra.”

Lucien nodded.

Jurian offered his arm to Vassa and said, “Shall we be off, Your Highness?”

As she slipped her gloved hand in the crook of his arm, she turned her head to bid Tamlin a formal farewell in her native tongue, then touched her fingers to her lips as she looked to Lucien.

Lucien smiled and lifted his glass in acknowledgment, then lowered it to the table as he watched the cozy couple make their way out of the bar and into the night.

“Do you think she’ll be okay, you know, alone with him?” Tamlin asked.

Lucien huffed a laugh as he slowly swirled his drink. “I don’t know how I would have felt about that question ten minutes ago,” he mused, then lifted his head to face his friend. “But she really does know how to take care of herself. If he tries anything she doesn’t like, you might find yourself short an employer tomorrow.”

Tamlin sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth, but at least he smiled. “Noted,” was all he said.

Somewhere above their heads, a saxophone wailed a rather jazzy cover of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, but it seemed rather fitting. He hummed along and occasionally sipped on his drink, reflecting on everything that had happened so far that day. If he hadn’t gone into the bookstore that afternoon, he and Vassa would be on their way to dinner right now. Not that he minded. He was actually quite happy for her, and her newfound paramour… Even if he didn’t understand her taste in men.

It wasn’t every day you ran into someone you clicked with, after all.

“So,” he began slowly, turning in his seat to face his old friend.

Tamlin lifted his head and mirrored him. “So,” he echoed. “What did you, uh, what did you have in mind for dinner?”

Lucien spread his hands in a shrug. “Honestly, I am open to suggestions.”

Tamlin drummed his fingers on the tabletop as he thought about it. “Do you like latkes?”

“Do I like what-kes?”

Tamlin chuckled. “Latkes. You know, deep-fried potato pancakes with a side of applesauce? There’s a great place not far from here, but we’ll have to walk. Unless you want to split a cab.”

Lucien mentally counted down the number of bills left in his wallet, and he grimaced. He didn’t have enough to pay for drinks, dinner, and a cab. He should have taken Eris up on his offer, but it was too late now.

When Tamlin noticed his hesitation, he said, “It was just a suggestion. You can choose something else—”

“No, no. Latkes sound good,” Lucien insisted. “I’ve never had them before. I was just thinking about the snow. This latke place: Is it far?”

“Not too far.”

As they put on their coats and made to leave the table, the server appeared with a platter of artichoke bottoms and—Lucien guessed—the kitchen’s attempt at mozzarella sticks. But they might have been potato skins. From the crispy texture and half-burnt color, it was difficult to tell.

“Your order, sir.”

He and Tamlin exchanged the same reluctant grimace. “I think we’ll pass,” he said slowly.

She let out an annoyed sigh and shifted the tray to her other hand. “Fine. Whatever. But you still gotta pay for it. You got cash?”

Lucien’s face grew hot. “Yeah,” he muttered, then reached for his wallet. He counted out the correct number of bills, then dropped an extra on the tray to shut her up. Just before she left, in the spirit of goodwill and brotherhood, he added, “Merry Christmas.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered, turning away. “And a happy fuckin’ new year.”

Lucien met Tamlin’s surprised stare, and they both chuckled in amazement at the same time.

“Bah, humbug,” Tamlin mouthed as she disappeared into the kitchen.

“I know, right?” Lucien said with a grin. He laid his hand on Tamlin’s arm and nodded to the exit. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

[visualtaehyun]

Hi ✨ chances are you're here because of one of my posts about language in Thai shows (mostly BL tbh). And since I kind of keep writing more of those, I thought I should do some better housekeeping and neatly collect them in a pinned post. So here ya go!

- all posts about language in Thai series and fandom: #local woman harps on about linguistics Thai QL fandom 101 & 102

- all other posts related to Thai language, culture, shows or artists: #ql musings (meta, thoughts etc.) #bella and the blorbos (edits, gifs, memes, etc.) #thai - #thai language - #thai music - #linguistics

- specific posts and series tags under the cut!

-- BY SHOW

Be My Favorite

Hidden Agenda

Only Friends

Naughty Babe

Lucky My Love

Love Senior

Last Twilight

Dead Friend Forever

1000 Years Old

23.5

We Are

Love Sea

The Trainee

> La Pluie - #bella watches la pluie > Cutie Pie - #bella rewatches ning hia

-- ONE-OFFS

Wedding Plan ep. 2 - Wa & Rine

Wednesday Club - Wednesday's child is full of woe | Naming conventions of Tam's yadom

Cooking Crush ep. 1 - Onion-or-kiss pun

Pit Babe ep. 13 - CharlieBabe NC

Only Boo! - pilot | official trailer | 'phi chai'

My Love Mix-Up! - re: an ask about the pronouns

Sunset x Vibes ep. 3 - re: Thai subs of the Mandarin portion translated | chronically online Pim

Star in My Mind - re: an ask about how KluenDao speak

Monster Next Door - 'khrap'

-- MISC.

re: a BossNoeul clip - sugar daddy/DILF meme and song (ฟ้ารักพ่อ by Badmixy)

re: a Last Twilight post - A clownery of typos and homonyms in romanization

re: a Pavel tweet - an attempt to explain and contextualize ผัว /pua/ and เมีย /mia/

re: an ask about Cherry Magic - Khun X's twt space about the Marriage Equality lines translated

re: We Are ep. 2 - Stir-fried water spinach aka Flying Morning Glory

re: GMMTV Pride 2024 roundtable discussion (link) - พระเอก /phra ehk/ and นายเอก /naai ehk/ explained

KengNamping 5 month anniversary live - translation

> translations, edits, etc. related to NuNew, Zee Pruk, and ZNN: #local woman harps on about znn

[a-sexy-asexual-658]

Hi! Your one of my favorite writers btw! Also make sure to not push yourself to hard and get proper sleep,food and water 💕

I was wondering if you could do the main characters reaction to the reader self h@rming? If it triggers something for you I get it, then don’t do it.

Stay save!!!

-🌸anon

Hi! Yeah of course! Anyway I assume you meant kotlc? Cause that’s the only thing I really write for but feel free to suggest something else and I I’ll see if I could do it.

Anyway here ya go love! Sorry if their bad.

Summary: he gang reacting to you self harming (neutral, you can see as either platonic or romantic, it’s not specified)

Warning: self harm; poor mental health; comfort

DNI if the subject triggers you; read at your own risk

~~~~

Fitz:

• I think he’ll have to take a minute to register what’s happening and then he’d rush over to stop you

•he’d make sure your alright then….. start yelling

•his worry would channel into anger like many of his emotions but as soon as he sees you flinch he’ll try to calm himself down

•he might just hug you and then make any precautions necessary to keep you from doing it again

• he’s devastated tho, he can’t believe someone he cares so deeply for would do this

Biana:

•immediately wackos whatever it is out of your hands (whether it be a lighter, knife or whatever); she literally karate chops it out of your hands

•after she takes you in her arms and hugs you tightly and won’t let go

•your both crying

•this reminds her of the dark time she was in after what Vespera did to her

•from then on she just makes sure your ok and is always more caring with you then before

Tam:

•would just freeze and you could feel the tension in the air

•then you’d start freaking out as he calmly walks over but instead of freaking out like you’d think he’d probably grabbed whatever you injured (arm;leg;head;etc) and just heal whatever you did

•then he’d pull you into a hug and just hold you and let you cry; he’s crying too

•then you’d just fall asleep together; not even in bed just wherever you are

•he’s way more careful with you now and more protective

Linh:

•she’s crying— like sobbing as runs over to stop you

•I honestly think she used to do it to herself after she got exiled but then Tam stopped her so this would remind her of her dark times

•she’d be so worried and be glued to your side

•always makes sure your comfortable and never forces you to go out if you don’t want to

•she’s more careful and caring, makes sure not to push you either

Sophie:

• would freeze as soon as she walks in and you wouldn’t notice her but before you could do it again she stops you

•she stops you by hugging you tightly and won’t let go until someone else walks in, sees the injuries and calls Elwin and then Elwin needs to pry Sophie off of you

•she will be so worried and start overthinking, she’ll try to keep you out of the war and black swan business but you get in it anyway

•tries to convince Forkle to fire you for your own mental health and safety but all he does is give you a temporary leave to heal (if that’s how it works)

•gets really worried and finally just lets it be and just is near you 24/7

•cuddles to sooth both of your broken minds (not to elfy broken, just minds in pain)

Dex:

•freaks out

•runs over and hugs you to stop you, you just freeze and he cries

•he's barely able to say anything while he's on the phone with Elwin

•this poor boy is definitely heartbroken, how could someone he cares so deeply for do that to themselves

•tries his best to make sure your ok and gives you lots of attention

Keefe:

•is frozen, literally

•tense eye contact then "tf you doin..."

•he's trying to stay calm as he walks over but you could see the many emotions and the panic in his eyes

•definitely feel like an emath at that moment

•he just makes sure your ok then pulls you into a hug

•is soft at first then the hug gets tighter to the point you can't breath

•he cries softly as this brings back memories of his own thoughts although he never did it himself.

•best cuddles of the century (better than anyone elses I may add)

•is just really sweet and more gentle with you

~~~~~~

Thanks for the request! I enjoyed writing this. Thanks for reading and anyone out there feel free to request anything. No limits go wild and I'll see if i can write it of not I'm sorry.

And yes to a few of you, I will write NSFW for adults or AGED UP characters.

I also write neverseen members becaus ei love them and always will. I love them more than black swan.

Anyway, bye loves!!

~Sahiko

[trashyandtiredsol]

Send this to ten other bloggers you think are wonderful, keep the game going and make someone smile!!

Aww thank ya Tam

Here's a pretty gif I found when looking for a gif for this ask :3

Also:

[drops-of-moonlights]

Mythix! Es una combinación Mythix! De fantasías y aventuras! Una experiencia nos espera En un mundo legendario El poder de Mythix! Ahora juntas lo sentimos Mythix! Y así nos sorprendimos Volamos, luchamos y enfrentamos Los misterios sin final Mythix llega ya!

The Mythix retouches are here! Almost on time with the 19th anniversary of the series lmao. This one doesn’t have as many retouches as the others (outside Roxy, and Stella and Tecna to a smaller degree) because I’m still fond of the last designs. A bit of a refresher below!

the TLDR of Mythix is “the Order of Mana made it through questionable means, if you unintentionally mimic a story, myth, folklore, legend or the like (or commit an act worthy of becoming one) you get this form modeled after both the story and the fashion of the person’s realm”. As such, each of the girls’s outfits are essentially modernized versions of typical clothing back in their homes. All of them are, of course, then based on the actual culture I primarily took from real life to build their realms:

Melodeus is obviously mainly inspired by China, and so the primary inspo for Musa’s Mythix was the qipao and the shuhe, with some more modern and punkish details to fit with Musa’s personality.

Linphea in the AU is primarily based on Colombia, and Flora’s Mythix is a shortened adaptation of Andine Colombian folklore dresses, which are commonly used for dancing, going along with the legend she dealt with.

Scintil’s main inspiration is Norway, and with this Bloom’s Mythix is a heavily-modified bunad in shape. Her hair ribbons alongside her cone buns are meant to mimic a dragon’s horns and whiskers, respectively, to go alongside the myth she fought with.

NOW ROXY’S INTERESTING LMAO. Her story, being from Earth, was Tam Lin, but as Roxy’s original realm is Tir na nÓg (which while taken from Celtic folklore she wouldn’t be Celt nor Irish herself), her attire is instead based off what was the typical attire at the time. (It’s based on Morgana’s canon fairy form, which is ironic as the “villain” in the way she dealt with the myth was heavily fashioned after AU!Morgana’s Ascendix.)

Solaria is mostly based on Hellenistic regions (so it covers pretty much the entire Mediterranean area), and her form is primarily fashioned after the Greek chiton, with some inspiration from the later Roman footwear and a minor inspiration in Egyptian belts.

Andros is primarily inspired in Ethiopia, with Aisha’s Mythix being modeled in modernized and modified versions of both men and women’s styles. Her puffy shorts and the frills at the edges of her vest are also vaguely inspired by jellyfish, as the myth she dealt with involved a gigantic one.

Finally, Zenith has an incredibly vague mix of both Victorian England and Russian menswear, because Butch Tecna Supremacy, and it’s meant to represent the standard working-class attire, fitting the role she fulfilled in the legend.

[lutawolf]

Never Let Me Go D/s breakdowns Ep 6

We see a very confident Palm. He's watching everybody and everything, while making sure to be a backbone for Nueng. Palm tells Nueng that he can lean on him, but Nueng is pissed. We see it in that jerk of putting his seat down. Honestly, don't blame him. That's why you don't see Palm happy when Nueng does lean on him. Palm knows he wouldn't be if he were awake and aware.

Nobody thought about the sea sickness. Lawd really. At least he knows how to rub a back and hand over water. Palm's daddy apparently wasn't all prepared.

Palm's mom, goodness. What's my opinion on the mom? I don't know. I don't have enough information to judge. As a parent, there is nothing on this earth short of death that would separate me from my kids. They are the loves of my life. That said, I don't know the situation. Some people aren't made to be parents or want to be parents. Maybe she was pressured by both her parents and Palm's dad to have a kid that she hadn't planned on. She gave birth, realized she was a shitty parent and walked rather than do him harm. I'd rather someone walk then give out abuse. Like Palm's dad does. She stayed in contact with Palm's dad, so it wasn't just like she went, fuck you all. There is more to this. I refuse to judge when I don't know the situation.

We're seeing a more confident Palm. Not a Dom, but more confident for sure. Trying to reassure Nueng. "Will you tell your mom about our relationship?" And quick as a whip, Palm replies, "What is our relationship?" 🤣🤣🤣 "Will you tell your mom that you are working for my family?" Not the response Palm wanted. "I don’t think that is necessary. We can act like we are friends when we are with her." "It’s up to you. You are the one who always has plans." Ohh, that was sarcasm if I ever heard it, lol.

The boyfriends are so fucking cute!! Love it! Notice that Palm doesn't mind being called a fool at all. "Turn around and talk to me." What does Palm do? Does he tell his ass to go to be? Nope. He immediately turns around without question. "Why did you kiss me?" "I saw that you were feeling sad. I wanted to make you feel better." Fuck Palm, did you really tell him the kiss was part of your job. "You kissed me because it was a part of your job." Damn, that would be painful to think. "Next time, if you want to make me feel better, you don’t have to go that far. You can just act funny or play a joke. You don’t need to kiss me. A kiss is a special thing. It’s meaningful." Fair. Palm over here like, trust me, it was meaningful.

Palm is giving me, I'm going to go fast on this bike, so you have to hold me vibes. It's that devilish smile of his. Oh wow, he didn't. Aww, Nueng bought him the toy. Oh, shit! Don't eat the spicy food. I love spicy food, but hell no to that spicy food.

Palm adored Noey feeding him. Then getting commanded to tell Tam. Which Palm immediately did. So cute. I relate to eating spicy food so much. I love it, but it kills me. Crawfish all day, but man do my lips and hand pay for it.

Lady, you got no right being nosy. Mind ya business. "To repay the gratitude, how could he put the life of his only son in danger?" She is not wrong, though. I think at this point, every adult in the building is not fond of Pond's dad.

This moment is so fucking cute. OMG. You killing me softly with those adorable smiles. Also, I'm trying to use less slang when writing and yo it's so fucking tough. Like in comfort writing, I slang like I'm talking to family. I found that some of you don't understand me, though. My bad.

"He is asking for praise, you guys. That is a subby sub all the way. I try to be liberal with my praising, but you bet your ass if a sub is comfortable with you, they'll ask for more. But Nueng doesn't give it to him. I love it! We're getting some brat vibes from Palm. Loving that as well. "Just having me here with you, I think it is special enough. Mr. Nuengdiao Kiattrakulmaytee, the great, you are so hard to please." "Are you done talking? How dare you tease me? I’ll push you off the cliff." "Okay, Young Master."

All the hand holding! So cute! Until he doesn't take his hand. Palm doesn't get it. He isn't understanding that Nueng doesn't want to be a job.

"I will protect and take good care of it." "Then who is allowed to come here?" "Someone I want to spend time in this beautiful place with. I want this place to be like the bridge of magpies that brought the cowherd and the weaver girl back together. Although they could meet only once a year, Their love made this place a very special place." "You are quite a romantic person." "There is much more of me that you’ve never seen. I only show you what I want you to see." "What you chose to show me is your good side, isn’t it? Because that is the only side of you that I see"

Lots of foreshadowing again. Then some lying by Palm and then Palm being a dumbass and once again telling Nueng it's for the job.

I just… I can't even.

[waywardwizzard]

Gabriel Tam sighed and dragged a tired hand down his face.

Quietly, he shook his head and stood up, loosening his tie. Why couldn't Samuel do his job for once? Was it really so hard-

A soft snick caught his attention.

Gabriel watched, frozen, as someone opened his study window and crawled through, another person following closely behind them.

"Who are you?"

The question was out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

The two masked figures froze, but before Gabriel could so much as blink the tallest one had pulled out a gun and was pointing it at him. The shorter one was still frozen, slightly hidden behind the gunman.

"I could ask ya the same thing," the man with the gun said, his voice muffled behind the dirty brown bandana.

Gabriel drew himself up to his full height, drawing on every etiquette lesson he had to sit through when he had been younger.

"I'm Gabriel Tam, owner of this house. I'll ask you again, who are you?"

"I'm 'fraid that's none of yer business, Mr. Tam."

The tallest man turned to his partner, his eyes softening, "You go and get what we came for, boy. I'll make sure he stays here."

The man gave a stilted nod and walked past Gabriel, avoiding the older man's eyes.

"Eyes here Mr. Tam."

Gabriel turned, his eyes narrowed.

"Why are you here?"

The man shrugged, his gun steady.

"Let's just say I ain't here for me."

Gabriel wanted to press for more information but before he could the shorter man had come back, a small duffle bag slung over one shoulder.

As he brushed past, Gabriel caught his eyes and the older man drew in a sharp breath.

"Simon."

The man, Simon, froze, his back to Gabriel.

"Are you happy?" Gabriel spat out without waiting for a reply. "You've ruined this family and now you have the audacity to-"

"It ain't audacity if it's his to take," the gunman said, his eyes sharp, "You go doc'. There's something I need to discuss with Mr. Tam."

"Captain-"

The Captain shook his head, leaving no room for arguments.

Simon gave the captain a long look before he nodded. He clambered back through the window, never once looking back at his father.

When the gunman was sure Simon was out, he stalked forward, holstering his gun.

He grabbed Gabriel by his lapels, his eyes blazing. The older Tam swallowed, the collar of his shirt digging uncomfortably into his skin.

"Now, you listen carefully, Mr. Tam. You may think Simon is a chi sin no fu but if there's one thing he ain't it's that. The kid's loyal to a fault, smart and brave too. Three traits I don't know where he got it from 'cause it certainly ain't from you.

He gave up everything for his li'l sis when you wouldn't even look at her letters. You've lost the best pair of kids in the 'verse, Gabriel, and I ain't even sure you realize it."

The man let go of Gabriel and strode to the open window. Gabriel smoothed down his lapels and tried to fix his hair, his head spinning.

Before the rogue reached the window he turned back, his browncoat flapping in the slight breeze. "Oh, and one more thing. You ever hurt them again you ta ma de hun dan, I'll hunt you down. And I won't be so civilized next time. Dong ma?"

With one last look, the man climbed out and shut the window. It was quiet in the study, almost as if nothing had happened. Taking a deep breath, Gabriel pressed a key on the Cortex. He scrolled for a while, searching for a specific number. It wasn't long before he found it. The call connected and he cleared his throat.

"General Huo? It's Gabriel Tam. I have news about the fugitives' whereabouts."

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Author's note

I hope this one ain't too bad, things have been hectic lately and I didn't have a lot of time to write this. Sorry if it's a little... stilted.